Etihad Airways posts 200% rise in 2012 net profit: Times of India

[Times of India] ABU DHABI: Etihad Airways, the fast-growing carrier of Abu Dhabi, posted a 200 percent rise in net profit in 2012 and a 17 percent increase in revenues, the airlines said in a statement Monday.

Etihad posted a net income of $42 million last year compared to $14 million in 2011. Photo: Wikipedia

Etihad posted a net income of $42 million last year compared to $14 million in 2011 when it made its first ever profit, said the statement which attributed the rise to strong improvements in revenues, passengers and cost control.

The flag carrier of the Emirates capital Abu Dhabi said revenues increased 17 percent to $4.8 billion in 2012 compared to $4.1 billion the previous year.

The number of passengers grew a healthy 23 percent to 10.3 million compared to 8.4 million in 2011, significantly boosted by Etihad’s partnerships which delivered more than $600 million in total revenue.

“This has been a game-changing year for Etihad Airways,” James Hogan, the airline’s president and chief executive officer said.

“We have delivered improved net profit, the second consecutive year we have been in the black, a remarkable achievement given the youth, ambitious growth and ongoing investment made by this airline in a challenging global economic environment,” he said in the statement.

Etihad said it succeeded in building the first “equity alliance” with investments of 40 percent in Air Seychelles, 29.2 percent in airberlin, 9.0 percent in Virgin Australia and about 3.0 percent inAer Lingus.

“We have taken great strides in building the industry’s first equity alliance … which (is) contributing significant value to our business,” Hogan said.

Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) rose 24 percent to $170 million, while EBITDAR (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation and rentals) rose to $753 million, up 16 percent, Etihad said.

Hogan said more than 50 institutions have provided around $6.8 billion in cumulative fundingfor the airline’s ongoing expansion.

Planned fleet upgrades for 2013 include 14 aircraft, with 11 passenger aircraft deliveries and three freighter deliveries, Etihad said.

The orders are for nine wide-bodied Boeing and Airbus aircraft and five narrow-body Airbus aircraft. These will meet Etihad Airways’ immediate growth requirements.

At the end of 2012, the company had 10,656 employees, 18 percent up on 2011 with more than 125 nationalities represented.

Read the original story at The Times of India…..

 

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Times of India
Feb 4, 2013

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NEW PICTURES From Vienna – Door Ripped off flyNiki Airbus in Jetway Incident : The Aviation Herald

[Vienna] Yesterday we reported from Austria on the freak accident that involved an Airbus A321 at Vienna International Airport. The aircraft had its front left main door ripped away from the fuselage when the attached Jetway suddenly lifted about 1.5 meters up, entangled with and ripping off the aircraft door.

Click on the images for a full size photo: Photo’s courtesy of The Aviation Herald

This evening The Aviation Herald has published large images of the incident, taken immediatlely after the event. Click on either of the images for the full size photos at The Aviation Herald.

Click on the images for a full size photo: Photo’s courtesy of The Aviation Herald

Original Story

The flight (HG-2715) from Malaga in Spain landed at Vienna International Airport and made its way to Gate C41, when it stopped at the gate ready for the passengers to disembark, the ground crew manoeuvred and docked the Jetway on to the aircraft.

When the crew opened the main door and passengers were about to leave the aircraft, the Jetway suddenly lifted about 5 feet up, entangled with the aircraft door and then lifted the entire aircraft by about 8 inches upwards.

At this point the aircraft door was ripped from the fuselage causing the aircraft to fall back onto the apron.

The passengers and crew were forced to leave the aircraft via the rear door and were then taken into an enclosed area of the terminal building and were asked if anyone had suffered any injuries from the incident. The travelers all confirmed that there were no ill effects at the time.

The aircraft received substantial damage and has been out of service since the incident on Sunday.

A spokesman from flyNiki confirmed that the Airbus had been lifted when the Jetway moved upwards and became entangled in the front door, and then fell down to the apron when the door sheared off.

A spokesman for Vienna International Airport said that, “Medical assistance was offered to all passengers following an aircraft being lifted by the Jetway, however no passenger reported any pain or injuries at the time”

The Jetway had correctly docked against the aircraft, but a failure of a sensor unit caused the Jetway to suddenly lift taking the aircraft door and aircraft with it.

Today (May 8th) a female passenger aged 76, reported feeling pain and was seen by doctors who diagnosed her with the fracture to her coccyx.

Investigations are expected to continue.

Read the original report at The Aviation Herald…..

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The Aviation Herald
8th May, 2012

Lat updated 9th May, 2012

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Related articles

• Well Jim, it’s European air travel but not as we know it: Air travel to Vienna and back – a return trip you’d just want to forget (The Airport Informer)
• Airbus has Front Door Sheared off in Freak Jetway Accident (The Airport Informer)

Emirates roll out larger plane on Dublin-Dubai route two months early: The Journal

[The Journal] Emirates has introduced a larger aircraft on its Dublin-Dubai route to cater for increased passenger demand, two months ahead of its scheduled introduction.

The Boeing 777-300 was due to be rolled out on the daily route from July, but has been introduced from last week in order to cater for higher-than-expected demand for seats on the route.

The service began operation with an Airbus A330-200, with space for 237 passengers, on January 9, but Emirates announced within three weeks of that launch that it would roll out the larger Boeing craft from July.

From May 1, however, the larger Boeing craft – which also increases the storage capacity for luggage, from 15 tonnes to 25 – has been running on the route in order to satisfy the demand.

Emirates’ senior vice-president for commercial operations in Europe and Russia, Salem Obaidalla, said the airline had continued to be impressed by the ”phenomenal performance” of the new service.

“Now, Ireland has one of the largest aircraft in our fleet and we can now offer 52 per cent more seats.”

The airline has previously said that the capacity offered by the Airbus craft, which allowed 3,318 people to travel from Dublin to Dubai and back each week, would usually be enough to cater for the first two or three years of a new route.

By comparison, the Boeing craft will mean a weekly capacity of 5,040 on flights to and from Dubai. Emirates runs one flight in……

Read the full story at The Journal…..

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The Journal.ie
8th May, 2012

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Related articles

• Emirates Airlines may expand in US, is open to acquisitions globally: CEO (The Airport Informer)
• Etihad airline takes 3 percent stake in Aer Lingus (The Airport Informer)

Vienna – Airbus has Front Door Sheared off in Freak Jetway Accident: the Aviation Herald

Latest Update With Pictures Here

[The Aviation Herald] Vienna – On Sunday an Airbus A321 had its front left main door ripped away from the fuselage in a freak accident. The ‘flyNiki‘ aircraft had just arrived from Spain when the incident happened.

The Jetway suddenly lifted about 1.5 meters up, entangled with the aircraft door. Photo: Wikipedia

The flight (HG-2715) from Malaga in Spain landed at Vienna International Airport and made its way to Gate C41, when it stopped at the gate ready for the passengers to disembark, the ground crew manoeuvred and docked the Jetway on to the aircraft.

When the crew opened the main door and passengers were about to leave the aircraft, the Jetway suddenly lifted about 5 feet up, entangled with the aircraft door and then lifted the entire aircraft by about 8 inches upwards.

At this point the aircraft door was ripped from the fuselage causing the aircraft to fall back onto the apron.

The passengers and crew were forced to leave the aircraft via the rear door and were then taken into an enclosed area of the terminal building and were asked if anyone had suffered any injuries from the incident. The travelers all confirmed that there were no ill effects at the time.

The aircraft received substantial damage and has been out of service since the incident on Sunday.

A spokesman from flyNiki confirmed that the Airbus had been lifted when the Jetway moved upwards and became entangled in the front door, and then fell down to the apron when the door sheared off.

A spokesman for Vienna International Airport said that, “Medical assistance was offered to all passengers following an aircraft being lifted by the Jetway, however no passenger reported any pain or injuries at the time”

The Jetway had correctly docked against the aircraft, but a failure of a sensor unit caused the Jetway to suddenly lift taking the aircraft door and aircraft with it.

Today (May 8th)  a female passenger aged 76 reported feeling felt pain and was seen by doctors who diagnosed her with the fracture to her coccyx.

Investigations are expected to continue.

Read the original report at The Aviation Herald…..

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The Aviation Herald
8th May, 2012

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Related articles

• Well Jim, it’s European air travel but not as we know it: Air travel to Vienna and back – a return trip you’d just want to forget (The Airport Informer)
• Boeing agrees to buy Airbus jets to ease 777 sale (economictimes.indiatimes.com)
• Airbus finds solution for cracks (bbc.co.uk)

China buys Boeing 777s, delays Airbus deal – sources: Reuters

[Reuters] China Eastern Airlines (0670.HK) is set to place a $6 billion (3.7 billion pounds) order for up to 20 Boeing 777 jets, while simultaneously emerging at the centre of an aviation row between China and the European Union by stalling a recent Airbus deal, people familiar with the matter said.

The order for wide-body 777s follows a fierce contest between Boeing and Airbus

The order for wide-body 777s follows a fierce but discreet contest between Boeing and Airbus and allows the U.S. planemaker to bounce back after China’s third-largest airline cancelled an order for 24 of its latest flagship 787 Dreamliners last year.

Besides handing the 777 order to Boeing, China Eastern is stalling on the completion of a $3 billion order for 15 Airbus A330 aircraft announced last October, two of the people said.

Boeing, Airbus and China Eastern declined to comment.

The deals took shape at different times and for different plane types, but together they highlight the stakes involved as planemakers court the world’s fastest-growing aviation market under the shadow of a recent trade dispute between China and Europe.

China and more than 20 nations oppose EU plans to force airlines to adopt a carbon emissions-capping scheme that they say will penalise foreign long-haul carriers and infringe sovereignty. Airbus has said some…..

Read the full story at Reuters….

 

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Reuters: 26th April, 2012
Reporting by Tim Hepher,
Kyle Peterson, Fang Yan

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Qantas A380 blowout plane returns to service: Reuters

[Reuters] – Australia’s Qantas took its repaired A380 superjumbo back to the skies on Saturday, resuming a 3,900 mile (6,300 km) journey dramatically interrupted 18 months ago when one of its engines blew up over Indonesia.

Airport security surround the repaired Qantas A380 VH-OQA passenger jet during a media tour on the tarmac of Singapore's Changi Airport April 21, 2012: Credit: Reuters/Tim Chong

After $140 million of repairs, the world’s largest jetliner took off for Sydney shortly before midnight, carrying Qantas Chief Executive Alan Joyce and members of the crew that safely landed the crippled Airbus in Singapore with 440 passengers on board.

“She’s running a little late… 18 months,” Joyce earlier told reporters under the left wing of the big jet, which was sprayed by shrapnel as the engine blew apart shortly after take-off from Singapore in November 2010.

The return to service of the flagship European jetliner ends a harrowing episode for the airline, plane maker Airbus (EAD.PA) and engine supplier Rolls-Royce (RR.L).

Investigators have blamed the incident on a potential manufacturing flaw at Britain’s Rolls-Royce, which endured blunt criticism from Joyce following the Trent 900 engine explosion.

Qantas and Airbus said the aircraft is safe and nearly as good as new after going through what they described as the biggest repair job on a single aircraft in aviation history.

The only visible scars are two patches of metal under the left wing where it was pierced by debris, some of which shot out at an angle that narrowly missed the top of the fuselage….

Read the full Reuters story…..

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By Harry Suhartono
SINGAPORE | Sat Apr 21

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UK Prime Minister David Cameron announces £326m Airbus deal in Indonesia

David Cameron has announced a £326m deal to sell 11 Airbus A330 aircraft to airline Garuda Indonesia. 

On a trade tour of East and South East Asia, the prime minister said the deal was "good news for the UK aerospace industry"

Arriving in Indonesia on his trade tour of East and South East Asia, the prime minister said the deal was “good news for the UK aerospace industry”.

It would safeguard UK jobs and was “a vote of confidence in Britain’s manufacturing base”, Mr Cameron said.

Indonesia’s trade with the UK accounts for just 0.07% of its imports. It is the world’s largest Muslim democracy. In an interview with Kompas newspaper, Mr Cameron praised Indonesia as an “inspiring democracy” and said he wanted to double trade by 2015.

“In its successful transition to democracy, Indonesia represents a powerful example for the world of how political progress can fuel economic success,” he told the paper.

Mr Cameron pledged UK help if required after an earthquake struck off the coast shortly before a press conference with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. He also announced that he had invited Mr Yudhoyono – who said there appeared to be no threat of a tsunami after the earthquake – to make a state visit to the UK later this year

Earlier Mr Cameron said the Garuda deal was “testament to the expertise of Airbus’s British workforce” and would protect jobs in Bristol and Broughton.

“I hope it will offer other British companies involved in the £1.5bn supply chain the opportunity to secure more contracts,” he said. The UK has some 10,000 jobs linked to Airbus….

Read the full article at BBC News….

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BBC News
11 April 2012

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Incident: Emirates A380 blows two tyres landing at Hong Kong yesterday

An Emirates Airlines Airbus A380-800 (EK-384) from Bangkok, Thailand to Hong Kong landed with two blown right-hand main tyres.

The Emirates Airbus A380 sits on the Runway at Hong Kong Airport with Blown Tires

The disabled aircraft vacated the runway via high speed turn off stopping just past the hold short line. The passengers disembarked onto the taxiway via mobile stairs about one hour after landing.

The northern runway 07L/25R was closed for about 4 hours until the aircraft was towed off the taxiway. The runway had been estimated to return to service by 23:30Z (07:30L Apr 8th Hong Kong Time), about 14 hours after landing.

Passengers reported they saw sparks from an engine at the right hand side and noticed a burning smell, the crew quickly announced they had burst tyres. An observer on the ground reported maintenance staff were replacing a number of tyres.

Sources at Hong Kong Airport report the aircraft suffered an anti-skid failure on landing resulting in brakes blocking and causing two main wheels to be ground down to the axle.

Read the full Aviation Herald story here….

Airbus sees Chilean carriers demand for more than 160 aircraft in next 20 years

29-Mar-2012 Airbus forecasts that Chilean Airlines will need 164 new passenger aircraft above 100 seats over the next 20 years to meet the demand of a growing air traffic market. The new 108 single-aisle, 53 twin-aisle and three very large aircraft, such as the A380, will represent a market value of US$19.8 billion.

Chilean carriers will need 164 100-seat plus aircraft over the next 20 years

According to the latest Airbus Global Market Forecast (GMF), the number of Chile’s passenger aircraft is expected to more than double over the next 20 years thanks in part to the country’s domestic traffic growing by 83 percent.

International traffic to and from Chile increased nearly 80 percent in the last decade giving Chilean carriers the opportunity to acquire more than 50 percent of the market.

“Of the 15 largest countries in Latin America, Chile currently has largest GDP per capita, making it possible for their travel economy to grow at an impressive rate” said Rafael Alonso, Executive Vice President of Airbus for Latin America and Caribbean. “In fact, by 2030, Santiago is expected to become one of the top hundred largest long-haul gateways with more than 10,000 daily passengers.”

In Latin America, where air traffic has nearly doubled in the last decade, Airbus foresees a 20-year demand for more than 2,000 new passenger aircraft, including 1,653 single-aisle, 334 twin-aisle and 41 very large aircraft, estimated at approximately $200 billion. Globally, by 2030 some 27,900 new aircraft valued at $3.5 trillion will be required to satisfy future robust market demand.

With more than 700 aircraft sold in Latin America and a record backlog of more than 350, over 400 Airbus aircraft are in operation throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. In the last 10 years, Airbus has tripled its in-service fleet, while delivering more than 60 percent of all aircraft operating in the region.

Original story here at CAPA centre for aviation……..

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CAPA centre for aviation
30th March, 2012

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Daily Mail: A380 superjumbo under fire AGAIN – Singapore Airbus engine failure forces return

Airbus’ new A380 superjumbo has come under scrutiny over its safety record yet again – after Singapore Airlines had to shut down an engine mid-air and turn back three hours into a flight.

The double-decker plane, which was carrying 430 passengers to Frankfurt, Germany, yesterday was in the air for three hours when crew reported a surge in one of its four Rolls-Royce engines.

Pilots shut down the engine, turned flight SQ26 around and landed safely back in Singapore using the three other engines, the airline said.

Scrutiny: Airbus' new A380 superjumbo has come under fire again, after Singapore Airlines had to shut down an engine and return a flight to Singapore yesterday

• Double-decker £250m plane was carrying 430 passengers to Germany
• Forced to turn back when crew reported surge in one of four engines
• Latest safety concern to hit world’s largest passenger jet

The passengers were transferred to another plane which later took off to Frankfurt.

‘The aircraft is capable of flying safely on three engines and at no time was the safety of our customers and crew compromised,’ Singapore Airlines said in a statement.

It did not specify the model of the engine involved, but the airline and Rolls-Royce said they would thoroughly inspect it and investigate what happened…….

Full Daily Mail article here:

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Daily Mail Reporter
28 March 2012

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